BTG plc To Commence US Phase II Clinical Safety Study Of Varisolve(R); Shares Fall As Trial Starts Without Partner

LONDON, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BTG plc , the medical innovations company, today announces that it intends to complete preparations for and commence a US phase II clinical safety study of Varisolve(R), the novel injectable microfoam treatment for varicose veins.

BTG's preferred strategy had been to partner the programme prior to commencing a US phase II safety study. The Company now intends to move forward with the study, which it is able to fund from existing resources without impacting current development activities in the broader BTG pipeline, in order to maintain development progress and to continue to build value in the product whilst continuing partnering discussions.

Louise Makin, BTG's chief executive officer, commented: "We have decided to progress this study so that we can maintain momentum and generate important safety data on Varisolve(R). We will in parallel continue to pursue all partnering options for Varisolve(R), recognising that some potential partners may first want to see positive data emerging from the study."

The phase II study will explore the safety of Varisolve(R) in 50 patients who have a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a defect whereby the small hole that connects the right and left atria of the heart to improve foetal circulation does not close at birth. PFOs are estimated to be present in approximately 20% of the population. Under certain conditions, they allow blood (and potentially clots, particles or bubbles within the blood) to travel from the right atrium into the left atrium, then out of the heart and into the arterial system. The study aims to answer the US regulator's question as to whether the microbubbles in Varisolve(R) that cross through the PFO can cause sub-clinical effects in the brain such as microinfarcts.

Varisolve(R) has successfully completed a pivotal European Phase III trial in which 435 patients were treated with the product and followed up for one year.

About BTG

BTG in-licenses, develops and commercialises pharmaceuticals and other medical technologies. With a substantial and growing revenue stream of royalties and milestone payments from out-licensed products, BTG continues to strengthen its pipeline of preclinical and clinical development programmes. Active in the fields of oncology, diseases of ageing, neuroscience, drug repositioning and medical devices, BTG works from offices in London, Philadelphia and Osaka through a global partner network of healthcare companies and research organisations. For further information, visit: http://www.btgplc.com.

Contact: Andy Burrows BTG plc Director of Investor Relations +44 (0)20 7575 1741 - or - Christine Soden Chief Financial Officer +44 (0)20 7575 1591 - or - Jim Prout Taylor Rafferty 1-212-889-4350

CONTACT: Andy Burrows, Director of Investor Relations, +44 (0)20 75751741, or Christine Soden, Chief Financial Officer, +44 (0)20 7575 1591,both of BTG plc; or Jim Prout of Taylor Rafferty, +1-212-889-4350

Web site: http://www.btgplc.com/